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Jury Awards $28.2 Million in Drunken Driving Case; San Antonio Man Killed in Front of His Home in 2004 Accident Friday June 16, 5:39 pm ET SAN ANTONIO, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- After deliberating for two days, a Bexar County jury has found 58-year-old Monte James Cooper liable in the death of Edward Souza, awarding Mr. Souza's family $28.2 million. ADVERTISEMENT Mr. Cooper was at the wheel of his pickup truck on Feb. 26, 2004, when it hit Mr. Souza and his wife Aleshia as they were about to get into their car in front of their home. Mr. Souza, 33, was pinned between the two vehicles before being dragged to his death. Mrs. Souza suffered a broken neck and pelvis, and injuries to both legs. Toxicology evidence presented in court indicated Mr. Cooper's blood- alcohol content at the time of the accident was about twice the legal limit, or the equivalent of his having drunk 12 beers. Mr. Cooper later pleaded no contest to intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault prior to being sentenced to seven years in prison and 10 years probation. "My sister was also killed by a drunk driver," says attorney Tom Crosley of the Crosley Law Firm in San Antonio, who represented the Souza family for free. "I know first-hand how drinking and driving can tear families apart." "When a drunk driver harms someone, the law should hold that person accountable. This jury sent a message to Mr. Cooper and others that this type of conduct will not be tolerated. We hope that this verdict will raise awareness about the dangers of driving while intoxicated and the devastation it can cause," Mr. Crosley says. The jury of eight men and four women included $1 million in punitive damages in the verdict handed down the afternoon of June 16.
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